1958-1967 Sunbeam Rapier

The 1958-1967 Sunbeam Rapier was a British-built two-door hardtop based on the
mid-'50s Hillman Minx sedan platform. It won international laurels in tough
rally competition for its maker, Rootes Group, and this experience showed in
improvements that came thick and fast -- at least by British industry standards.

The Rapier progressed from the twitchy-handling, underpowered, chunky-looking
1956-58 Series I (not recommended as a collectible) to the Series II, introduced for the 1959 model year, which had
better styling and a larger engine.

The
Series III Rapier brought still-cleaner looks, a polished walnut dash, more
horsepower, and standard front disc brakes. Engine displacement and power went
up again for the interim Series IIIa of 1962.

The Series IV Rapier received synchromesh
for all gears of the standard four-speed manual gearbox. The last Series V
Rapier was equipped with a larger five-main-bearing engine, but was not
officially imported to the U.S.

Despite its sporty character and fine rally
record, the Rapier was overshadowed both here and overseas by the rakish Alpine
two-seat sports car of the '60s. Nevertheless, the Rapier is an unusual
collectible for British-car fans, one of the few true hardtops from England.

Pluses of the 1958-1967 Sunbeam Rapier:

Great rally heritage

Nicely trimmed
four-seat interior

Good performance from 1.5/1.6-liter engines

Hardtop body
style

Minuses of the 1958-1967 Sunbeam Rapier:

Rusts out early and easily

Chunky
"transatlantic" styling

Production
of the 1958-1959 Sunbeam Rapier:Mark
II/Mark III: NA

Production
of the 1960 Sunbeam Rapier:Mark III: 11,643

Production
of the 1961 Sunbeam Rapier:3,850

Production
of the 1962-1963 Sunbeam Rapier:17,534

Production
of the 1964-1967 Sunbeam Rapier:NA
(estimated total 75,000)